Contributed by: JiveSideJiveSide(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on November 29th 2002From the downbeat of Heathen Radio, the latest offering from Washington DC's Daycare Swindlers, one thing is very clear; this band kicks ass. Songs are brief, uptempo, anthemic and heavy. Clocking in at under twenty minutes with twelve songs, the motive is simply rock and roll music that leaves no.

From the downbeat of Heathen Radio, the latest offering from Washington DC's Daycare Swindlers, one thing is very clear; this band kicks ass. Songs are brief, uptempo, anthemic and heavy. Clocking in at under twenty minutes with twelve songs, the motive is simply rock and roll music that leaves nothing for the listener to ponder except how to catch one's breath after the record has finished spinning. This is a band that truly lives for the moment, spending their seven years presenting only the intensity and honesty of music to appease the muse of punk rock, one exhausting performance after the other. It's a rare discovery in punk to find musicians who love the music more than the scene, but judging from their lack of tattoos and piercings, not to mention the several years as part of the underground, these guys are exactly that. The music is what's important, scenesters don't get the crowd hoppin', and it's refreshing to find a band that acknowledges this.

This quintet rips through songs like a raging juggernaut powered by drummer Reiter, bassist Mike, guitartists Scrote and Stevie, and steered by frontman Noah screaming, "I'm gonna get my party on/I'm gonna get my party on/I ain't done yet". Daycare Swindlers are the kind of band that makes punk both appealing and accessible, tackling both the everyday and the absurd in its lyrical content, usually presenting the only discernible words in a chorus that is almost always all inclusive (so sing along!), and the few metaphors are easily interpreted and unpretentious (hooray!). There aren't any selfish motivations behind this record; this is music that is meant to be heard and participated in. Today's punk is littered with self-important bands who think the audience should always dwell on the singer's insecurities and short-comings, and in effect wish to move the audience emotionally rather than physically. Good thing the times of Minor Threat and Black Flag have not been forgotten, for the Swindlers proudly brandish these influences and ideals on every note they play. "Sick of things the way they are/It's about time that we had a break" could be an inclination to how they feel about today's music, but then again the following song claims "Same old crap/but different day". Why bitch when you can rock seems to be the attitude here. Either way, this band would probably prefer their audience to rock out rather than dissect and interpret.

This is one dangerous band sporting some razor sharp musicianhip and an extremely charismatic singer. Songs such as, "Framed," "Holy Suicide," and "U.S. or Bust" really showcase what this band is capable of; kickin' ass and takin' names the old school way.

Please login or register to post comments.What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you

Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten

Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like

Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon
sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (June 2, 2004)

i fully embrace every song i've heard them play. love 'em....

who cares what kind of music noah's girlfriend likes, like it makes a diffrence how they play and the sound they produce. that's silly.

Anonymous (December 6, 2002)

oh god... this band is still together?

Anonymous (December 4, 2002)

it doesn't make them uncool that they're not from dc but they shouldn't say that they're from dc

Anonymous (December 3, 2002)

Never heard em, but the name is pretty cool.

-sickboi

Anonymous (December 2, 2002)

my band played with them too. I think like 4 people were watching them, Damn, it really brought back the days when it didn't matter how many people are there, cause these guys really put on a show (for all 4 of us) real great guys, there albums are pretty good, go see em live.

What does how many tattoos and piercings someone has have to do with how they feel about music or "the scene" ? And while they may not be bitching about the same things, sounds like they are just bitching about other people bitching.

Anonymous (December 2, 2002)

dont these guys live like 30 miles outside of d.c.
i heard their album like 2 years ago and it was nothing more than punk/ska/shit.

Anonymous (December 2, 2002)

their last couple of records sucked horribly. so i'm assuming they've only gotten worse.

Anonymous (December 1, 2002)

You're damn right it does. Plus, I heard one of the guys in the band used to be in a Christian h/c band, AND, the lead singer's girlfriend likes Sum 41 and Mest!

Let's burn 'em all, then castrate the reviewer for turning our attention to this shite.

Anonymous (December 1, 2002)

so because they dont live in DC that makes them "uncool"?

Anonymous (December 1, 2002)

fuck the daycare swindlers
these guys are huge dicks
the drummer lives down the street from me, none of the members actually live in dc. fuck them

Anonymous (November 30, 2002)

if you missed them on tour with toxic narcotic and two-man adv., you really fucking missed out. My band has played with Daycare twice and they are super nice guys, they were even going to get us a show in dc when we were gonna tour and offered us a place to stay. If you go see them, bring them some drugs and have a good time..

Anonymous (November 30, 2002)

'their lack of tattoos and piercings'
the singer has shitty dreadlocks which make it worse..